Thursday, October 30, 2008

With Halloween one day away, neighbors were hard at work decorating yards and converting garages to haunted mazes. Kids in the neighborhood should have a good time parading through the streets. I have my fingers crossed for a rainless Friday night.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Dia de los Muertos isn't until November 1 - 2, but my family has been hit with the flu bug and today, for my household, it was quite literally, the day of the walking dead. I'm hoping tomorrow brings a healthier day.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

I've been fortunate enough to attend a few events in this ballroom, on the third floor of one of downtown Salem's oldest buildings. The high ceilings, red bricks, tall arched windows and gold chandeliers create a warm, festive atmosphere. The best aspect of this location is it's high vantage point over the downtown area. The view of Salem out of the windows at night can't be beat.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Autumn leaves along the US Bank Building, Salem's oldest financial institution, founded 1869. I was lucky enough to capture this image before the city's diligent maintenance crew swept/blew the leaves away.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

I snapped this picture just seconds into their grueling 3-mile race. That's exactly 3 more miles than I am able to run. Redmond HIgh were the underdogs. Although they weren't able to pull an upset in this race, Boys Varsity were able to place.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Built by the Brown Street Clock Company, this timepiece has kept for Salemites since the early 1900's. Street clocks were a primary source of advertisement for jewelers at the turn of the century and Brown had the corner of the market for designing and distrubuting these cast iron pieces. This in one of the 21 known functioning Brown clocks left in the US.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Monday, October 20, 2008

I only became aware that ingesting the brumansia plant is said to create a terrifying, hallucinogenic experiences after I spent a great deal of time photographing it. I wondered why the garden keepers kept a watchful eye on my activites.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

I'm not a fan of dolls, especially those of the creepy porcelain sort. I did, however, find a redeeming picturesque value to this one on display at the Deepwood Estate. I didn't dare capture the deep, piercing stare of her evil eyes. I've seen enough Twilight Zone to know better.

Monday, October 13, 2008

While visiting the refuge to see what the migrating goose population looked like, I spotted this little creeper moving in the rough. I bet its spiny hair keeps it from getting gobbled up by the resident ducks and herons. Woolly Bear caterpillars, according to the Farmer's Almanac, are told to be able to predict the length and severity of the coming winter. The length of the middle band of color and the 'woolliness' of its coat determine seasonal conditions. Judging by this one, we need to prepare for a long, cold winter. Coincidentally, black & orange are the local high school's colors. Go Olys! The refuge harbors about 10% of the migrating dusky geese for the winter. There were several hundred geese with more to come in the next few weeks. I live only a fifteen minute drive away, so I get to bird watch and shoot pix regularly.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

94 pairs of boots representing every fallen Oregonian who has died in the Iraq war. Very sad to realize how young many of the soldiers were. Below, prayer flags, one for every soldier killed in the war.

Friday, October 10, 2008

It's Hispanic Heritage Month. Many of the farms in the Willamette Valley employ a large contingent of migrant workers for farm labor. A growing agriculture industry continues to lure a foreign-born population to the area. Consequently, you'll find pockets of ethnic retail outlets throughout Salem and the neighboring communities that cater to the growing number of emigrants. If anything, it brings it's fair share of animation and color to the streets.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Autumn is upon us. The days are shorter and cooler. While touring the town for today's image, I saw my first gaggle of dusky geese on their migratory path. Pumpkin patches and corn mazes are popping up all over Salem. Tree tops are turning fall colors and leaves are starting to fall all over my backyard. Even Buddha seems at peace with the leaves falling around him.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Willamette Valley, in which the City of Salem is nested, is one of the most diverse agricultural regions in the world. More than 170 different crops including grains, hays, grass seed field crops of all kinds, tree fruits and nuts, small fruits and berries, wines, fresh and processed vegetables, Christmas trees, nursery stock, dairy, poultry and beef are all produced within this spectacular valley. I'm unsure of what crops are being worked on this farm but it is wedged between Pronzini Christmas Trees and Ankeny Vineyards.

Monday, October 6, 2008

It's apple harvest time. Just in time for baking apple cobbler, canning applesauce and making Halloween caramel apples. Haury Farms is a family owned and operated fruit stand that grows 42 different varieties (Wow!) of apples. I walked away with 25 pounds of Pinovas.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

The Oregon Garden is heralded as one of the showcase gardens in North America. Encompassing 80-acres, it is home to dozens of specialty gardens, The Gordon House (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), an amphitheater (host to countless "big name" concerts and events) and the recently opened Oregon Garden Resort. I visit the garden several times a year to see the changes each season brings.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Today Salem hosted two walks for causes: Discover Pink Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness and The Walk to Remember for Oregon's Alzheimer's Network. Because of my work schedule I was only able to participate and photograph The Walk to Remember. Hundreds of "walkers" attended and marched behind the bagpipers to raise money for Alzheimer's Network of Oregon, a non-profit organization in Salem.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

One of several quilts shown for the "Uncommon Threads" art exhibit. Created by Boo Davis, a heavy metal fan from Seattle. I thought the skull quilt had a timely theme with Halloween around the corner. Though it is a far cry from the floral beauties Grandma used to make.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To honor those who have been affected by the disease, Salem has dedicated a street of Remembrance Trees. For $1, you can buy a dedication ribbon to hang. Proceeds from the sales of the ribbons will be donated to the cause.